Clasp for harness



(No Model.)

D. W. LEWIS.

CLASP FOR HARNESS. l

No. 362,165. Patented May 3,1887.

n H r UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DANIEL IV. LEVIS, OF ALBERT LEA, MINNESOTA.

CLASP FOR HARNESS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 362,165, dated May3,1887.

Application led February 19, 1887. Serial No. 228,228.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, DANIEL W. LEWIS, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at city of Albert Lea, in the county of Freeborn andState of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSnap- Fastenings, of which the following is a specieation, referencebeing had therein to the aecompanying drawings.

My invention relates to a snap -fastening adapted to be used upon reins,bitching-straps, &c., constructed as hereinafter fully set forth andclaimed.

In the drawings, Figure l is a plan View of my improved fastening,showing the two parts connected together and attached to a rein orstrap. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section on line mw of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 isa plan view of the under side of the fastening, showing the tWo parts ofthe fastening connected. Fig. 4 is a cross-section on line yy of Figs. 1and 3. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the two parts separated. Figs. 6 and 7are side views showing the positions of the two parts when they arebeing connected together.

The fastening is constructed in two parts.

A designates the plate of one part, provided with an eye, c, a centralopening, a', lugs b b', bearing b2, and a snap-button, c. This buttonmay be attached to the plate in any desirable position and by anysuitable devices. In the accompanying drawings the button is attachednear the eye end of the plate by means of a neck, c', inserted through aslot in the plate and through a hole in a washer or frictionplate, c2,and is secured in place by a pin, ci, inserted through the extended endof the neck, as shown. The slot inthe plate is provided with a spiralspring, d, adj usted to bear against the neck of the button.

B designates a plate provided with an eye, f, and a shouldered tongue,l1., constituting the other portion of the fastening. The portion of theopening ct through the plate A which is next to the button is enlargedto readily admit the tongue, which is inserted at this part of theopening, and is extended through it far enough to allow the shoulders dto clear the lugs b, as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. From thisposition the tongue is readily moved into the position shown in Fig. 7of the drawings, with its shoulders against the bearing b2 and its endbearing against the side of the (No model.)

button. Then pressure upon thetongue causes the button to springoutward, allowing the end of the tongue to pass into its seat in theplate, and the button automatically springs over the end of the tongue,securely holding it in place. The outer portion of the plate B issecurely held in place by the lug b.

To disconnect the parts of the fastening, the button is sprung outward,so'as to release the end of the tongue, which is then moved into theposition shown iu Fig. 6 of the drawings, and is withdrawn from theplate A.

It is evident that the tongue may be inserted edgewise through a slot orsuitable opening in the plate A by twisting the strap or reinsufficiently to place the tongue in that position; but where the reinsor straps are heavy and rigid they are not readily twisted sufiicientlyto allow the tongue to be inserted thus edgewise; hence theeonstructionshown, though not essential, is preferable.

This fastening may be as readily attached and detached as the ordinarysnap-hook, and is not at all liable to become detached in use; and thisfastening is capable of being constructed so as to be more ornamentalthan the snap-hook. It is capable of use not only as a snap-fasteningfor reins and bitching-straps, but also as a snap buckle for connectingthe parts of harness.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, with a plate, A, having the opening a', and theplate B, having the shouldered tongue h, of the snap-button c,constructed and arranged, substantially as set forth, to automaticallyfasten'the tongue in place, substantially as and for the purposesdescribed.

2. The combination of the plate A, having the eye a, opening a', lugs bb', and bearing b2, the plate B, having the eye f and'shouldered tongueh, and the snap-button c, constructed and arranged, substantially as setforth, to automaticall y fasten the tongue in place, substantially asand for the purposes described.

In testimony whereof I afx my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

DANIEL \V. LEWIS.

